The 5 Best Ways To Prevent Water Leaks In Your Home

There are a lot of expensive problems that every homeowner faces at one time or another and having water leaking somewhere in the home is one of the most expensive on par with causing almost as much damage as a fire. This is why it’s best to try to prevent water leaks as best you can. 

Water leaks can start in many places around your home. It can sometimes be easy to find the leak, but other times it’s not so obvious and you’ll need to call in a professional to find it. Whether you’re in need of trace and access leak detection in London, Glasgow or Land’s End a professional will be able to locate your water leak. 

In this article, we will go over several tips so you don’t have to deal with expensive repairs or calling in professionals.

Check The Plumbing Regularly

The most obvious place for a leak in the house is within or around its plumbing. Taking a little time to regularly check your plumbing and its associated pipes can go a long way in preventing water leaks. Start by looking at all the pipes you can easily see, such as the ones under sinks, in the basement, or along walls. 

Keep an eye out for signs of wear, rust and puncture such as moisture or dampness. Even a small spot of rust or dampness could be a sign that a leak might happen soon. If you notice any pipes that look discolored or bulging, it’s important to deal with them right away before they get worse.

Radiators and boilers are also another prime location for a leak. Once a boiler starts to leak, there is nothing to stop the flow of water so you’ll want to locate the stop tap and turn off the supply to the home. 

Repair Basement And Foundation Issues

Keeping your basement and foundations in good shape is really important for avoiding water leaks. Old foundations are prone to cracks as they settle over the years and even small cracks can allow water in, which can lead to bigger problems later down the line. It’s important to regularly check the basement and the floor in it regularly and remedy the situation as soon as you notice them.

Another important tip is to make sure the ground around your home slopes away from the foundation. This helps keep water from gathering near your house and leaking into the basement and instead allows it to run off away from the property. If you notice water pooling near your home, you may need to add some soil or adjust the grading to direct water away from your foundation.

Install Water Leak Detectors

Water leak detectors are a simple way to catch leaks before they cause too much damage that will be expensive to fix. There are a few different types to choose from and which you use will depend on your needs. 

Basic detectors make a noise when they detect water, letting you know there’s a leak whereas smart detectors are a bit more advanced since they connect to your Wi-Fi and can send alerts straight to your phone, so you know what’s happening even when you’re not at home. 

The best spots to place them are under sinks, near appliances like washing machines and dishwashers, and in the basement. Those are the places where leaks are most likely to start.

Maintain The Roof And Gutters

One area of the home that can cause water damage that is often overlooked is the roof. 

One common issue is damaged or missing shingles which may occur over the years naturally or during bad weather. As shingles are there to protect your roof, if they become cracked, loose, broken or missing, water can easily penetrate the property causing leaks. 

Part of the roof that should also be maintained is your gutter as they play a big part in directing water away from the property. If they become clogged with leaves or debris, water can back up and overflow, which may lead to leaks through the roof or walls. – Cleaning your gutters regularly and making sure they’re in good shape can help prevent these issues.

Check The Water Meter Regularly

Another great way to know if there is a water leak in the property is by regularly checking the water meter. It’s simple to do and can help you avoid high water bills and costly damage.

To start, make sure all the water in your house is turned off. This means no running faucets, no appliances like dishwashers or washing machines, and no toilets being flushed. Once everything is off, find your water meter. It’s usually located outside near the street, or sometimes in a basement or utility room.

Take note of the numbers you see on the meter. Then, wait for about an hour without using any water. After the hour is up, check the meter again. If the number has changed, it means water is being used somewhere, even though nothing is turned on which clearly indicates a hidden leak somewhere in your plumbing.